"Space to Grow"Garden Project

Social & Therapeutic Horticultureat Huntlyburn Ward

The ‘Space to Grow’ garden/allotment project at Huntlyburn allows patients the opportunity to leave the boundaries of the mental health ward to spend time in the natural environment. With a growing body of evidence to suggest that the natural environment boosts well being, the project provides an opportunity to make use of sustainable resources which has a positive impact on mental health.

The ‘space’ allows patients and staff to participate in horticultural therapy, be active outdoors and explore/absorb the natural environment.

The project has become part of the ward programme and allows an alternative option to the ward based activities and therapies available and also gives patients the opportunity to continue to be involved following their stay in the ward

Benefits:

Giving patients structure to their day

Physical activity and an outlet for agitation

Source of peer support

New skills and knowledge gained

A sense of achievement and empowerment, boosting confidence and self belief

From digging and harvesting to growing plants from seed in the greenhouse, all levels of activity and fitness can be accommodated.

The produce grown can be used for community meals, or sold as vegetable boxes or chutneys and the money is reinvested in the project.

Having somewhere to go where I could go outside and immerse myself in something meaningful with visible results was invaluable to my recovery

— Patient

It gave me a reason to focus and a reason to be.

— Patient

Can you help?

donate

in order to get the most out of the area we need to landscape it and for that we need money and materials.

click here to donate now

volunteer

text “GROW21£5” to 70070 to give £5(Every penny of your donation, including Gift Aid, goes to the charity. You may be charged for your text message, please refer to your network operator's standard rates.)

call 01896 825542 to speak to a member of the fundraising team

we need people to help maintain the garden and perhaps share knowledge with staff & patients.